ABMN has been informed through some comrades of this campaign for the liberation of a series of activists in Guinea-Bissau who were arrested by that country’s dictatorship on Sunday, May 25th. While we have just received word that they’ve been set free late on May 26th, we’d still like to inform our followers worldwide of events, in the spirit of international solidarity that we consider one of the founding pillars of our Network.

“INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE IMMEDIATE FREEDOM OF THE POLITICAL PRISONERS OF THE DICTATORSHIP OF UMARO SISSOKO EMBALÓ

This morning in Guinea-Bissau, Western Africa, during a peaceful demonstration for freedom of speech, the activists Armando Costa (known as Etiandro), Suelina Pina, Daihama and Jonathan Nanque were arrested.

The demonstrators were arrested while protesting against a government that remains well beyond the limits imposed by the Guinean constitution, for freedom of speech, for an end to the dictatorship, and for health, education and security.

Faced with the threated to the lives of the Guinean activists, we call on social movements, trade unions, and all those who want to associate, to join a campaign of solidarity for the liberation of political prisoners in Guinea Bissau, for freedom of speech and for an end to the dictatorship of Umaro Sissoko Embaló.

We ask that notes in solidarity be sent to: consciencia.negra_2015@outlook.pt

We also demand from the government of Portugal and its president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, their intercession in defense of these activists to guarantee their safety, not the least because among them is a Portuguese-Guinean citizen. At the same time, a state which calls itself democratic cannot be complicit to dictatorships, and the Portuguese state must break relations with the dictatorship of Umaro Sissoko Embaló.

Freedom for the political prisoners of the dictatorship of Umaro Sissoko Embaló!

For freedom of speech and of organization for the workers and people of Guinea-Bissau!

For an end of the dictatorship of Guinea-Bissau!”

Original source by Coletivo Consciência Negra Portugal & Movimento Negro Em Portugal